How Manuka could save your skin

From world famous lamb to the mighty All Blacks, New Zealand produces some pretty amazing exports. But as far as the “superfood” sphere is concerned, Manuka Honey is one of our biggest claims to fame. Manuka is hailed as the queen of all honeys, and not without reason.

Exclusive to New Zealand, this liquid gold is produced by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. As well as having a rich, slightly bitter taste, Manuka Honey is laden with health benefits. And when it comes to ageing skin, it could be an absolute godsend. It’s packed full of natural healing compounds like methylglyoxal (MG) and hydrogen peroxide, not to mention a wealth of amino acids, vitamins B and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, potassium, sodium and zinc.

So how could incorporating Manuka Honey into your daily beauty regime work for you? Here are a few reasons we’re head over heels for Manuka.

• A golden glow

Just like the honey itself, Manuka can work wonders on your complexion. Everyone wants to age gracefully, and Manuka Honey can help you do this the natural way. Not only is it intensely moisturising which can help keep wrinkles at bay, but MG has been shown to boost collagen cross-linking which promotes the structural growth of collagen in skin cells. Hello wonderfully smooth, noticeably firmer skin. Plus, hydrogen peroxide works to naturally brighten the skin, blur away blemishes and create a golden glow.

• Soothing eczema, psoriasis and rosacea

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as a skin condition that just won’t go away. If you’ve tried prescription medication why not experiment with the healing powers of Manuka? As well as its antibacterial properties, its high viscosity locks in moisture which is something that’s essential to combating dryness, flaking and scaling.

• Healing bruises

Unfortunately, as your body ages it becomes easier to bruise. So, you may have noticed that bumps that used to leave you unscathed now turn awful shades of black, blue and purple. When used as a topical ointment Manuka Honey has the power to accelerate wound healing, decrease bruising, minimise inflammation, reduce tissue death and improve circulation.

• Fighting acne

If you’ve got a grandchild suffering from acne Manuka Honey could be their new secret weapon. Spots are generally caused by Propionibacterium, a microbe that can spiral out of control in oily pores. These trigger an immune response that ultimately leads to pimples. Manuka Honey is laden with antibacterial properties that will actively fight acne bacteria on the skin and fast-track the healing process. It’ll even work to balance Propionibacterium levels which actively prevents acne, as well as treats the symptoms.

Stocking up on Manuka

Falling for Manuka? If you’re lucky enough to be able to pick it up at your local grocery store or supermarket that’s fantastic. Otherwise, try browsing at souvenir or speciality food stores, supplement shops, natural food stores, local farmers markets or if all else fails, online stores. Once you get your hands on a pot you’ll never look back.